Diya Arun
Student Researcher · Leader · Community Volunteer
John Burroughs School | Class of 2027 Download Resume(PDF)
RESEARCH & EXPERIENCE
2025–2026 Independent Researcher Geneoscopy
Worked with Geneoscopy’s Chief Medical Officer to extract and analyze data from six clinical trials testing colorectal cancer screening devices. My first project studied
whether a decentralized recruitment model could bring more diverse patients into clinical trials. My second was a review of how Medicare and Medicaid coverage affects
colorectal cancer detection for publicly insured patients; it became a poster for the Cancer Genomics Consortium (CGC)
2026 Fellow Yale Elmseed Consulting Organization
Learned consulting and pitching through weekly sessions led by Yale student leaders, then worked to develop a solution to a challenge from the City of New Haven
2024–2026 Hospital Intern & Neurosurgery Shadow SSM Health
After meeting a neurosurgeon through a school career program, I stayed in touch and created opportunities to shadow him during surgeries and patient visits. I also found
an internship at the hospital where I helped with administrative work while continuing to learn about patient care
2024–2025 Independent Researcher Danforth Science Center
Spent a semester growing and testing millet varieties under different conditions for drought resistance. I recorded observations throughout the experiment and wrote a
final research report summarizing our findings that was submitted to the Danforth Science Center
2025 Intern Nest
I independently reached out to a school alum who founded Nest, a nonprofit for artisans, which led to my internship. For their Educational Climate Series project, I reviewed
hundreds of pages of source material and selected key statistics, phrases, and images for Nest’s public website on climate issues affecting artisan communities
2025 Judge Science Fair Youth
Evaluated elementary science projects and gave students personalized feedback to help strengthen their scientific reasoning and presentation
LEADERSHIP
2024–2026 Founder & President New Student Mentorship Program, John Burroughs
Founded a peer mentorship program serving 50+ students, where I paired new students with mentors, led monthly meetings, and organized community-building activities.
This program is now part of the school’s new student orientation
2023–2026 Lead Youth Ambassador iGiant
Started as a youth volunteer and later became Lead Youth Ambassador where I inducted new volunteers, led roundtables, prepared presentation materials for board
members, and reviewed companies for gender equality Seal of Approval. Co-authored two gender-equity research papers and one was published in the Journal of
Women’s Health
2023–2026 Special Delegate Model United Nations
Started with local MUN conferences and later participated in a conference at University of Urbana-Champaign and represented Mauritius on the Historical Security Council
at THIMUN in The Hague. I became more confident speaking without a script and negotiating with other delegates, and several clauses I drafted were included in the final
resolution
COMMUNITY SERVICE
2024–2026 Lead TA & Elective Teacher AIM High
Designed and taught a financial-literacy curriculum with 100+ slides and 5 learning games; created a self-guided website that will be used by 400+ students. I also worked
as a teaching assistant, office admin, and led AIM High club during school year through weekend tutoring
2024–2026 Leader, Bomber Buddies Montgomery Plan, John Burroughs
Led a branch of my school’s volunteering hub and headed the committee to plan Special Olympics events for county students with special needs; it involved planning
games, activities, student pairings, and event logistics
2024–2026 Volunteer KEEN
I coached kids with physical and developmental disabilities in tennis, swimming, dance and gym activities, helping them develop new athletic skills and confidence
2024–2026 Volunteer Equine Assisted Therapy
Supported individuals with emotional and mental challenges during therapeutic horse-riding sessions by leading horses and helping them build perseverance and
independence
2024–2026 Volunteer ENGin
I had weekly English tutoring sessions with Tanya, a Ukrainian student which helped her build English fluency with new vocabulary by sharing each other’s tradition and a
lot of knock-knock jokes
WORK
2025–2026 Cashier & Waitress Chicken Salad Chick
Handled drive-thru, online, and in-person orders working closely with the kitchen staff to provide accurate and customer-friendly service
2024–2025 Tutor Eye Level
Tutored students on Math and English work, graded assignments, explained concepts and talked with parents about student’s progress and challenge
ACTIVITIES
2015–2026 Company Dancer Soorya Performing Arts
Bharatanatyam dancer since kindergarten and performed in major productions within St Louis and other states. I assist my teacher in training younger dancers
2021–2026 Equestrian Ridgefield Arena
Started as a beginner rider and developed into a 2.5-foot show jumper; regularly helped younger and newer riders learn to tack horses and basic trotting and riding skills
2023–2026 Dance John Burroughs School
Choreographed and taught original pieces blending Bharatanatyam and hip-hop after training across multiple dance styles
2022–2026 Volleyball John Burroughs School
Captain of JBS junior varsity volleyball for two seasons and competed in charity tournaments supporting the local Tamil community
HONORS & CERTIFICATIONS
May 2026 AP Scholar Award, College Board
April 2026 First Aid / CPR / AED, Adult & Pediatric American Red Cross
2024 Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Gold